Approaching Literature

6. Discussed Text: “Out, Out—” (Robert Frost)

7. Activity Text: “Snow” (Julia Alvarez)

6. Discussed Text: “Out, Out—” by Robert Frost

Key Focus Areas:

1. Summary and Theme:

   • A tragic narrative poem about a boy who dies after a saw accident.
   • Explores themes of death, the fragility of life, and the indifference of the world to human suffering.

2. Literary Devices:

   • Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the saw and the setting.
   • Personification: The saw is described as if it has a will of its own.
   • Tone: Starts with serenity, shifts to horror, and ends in detachment.

3. Analysis Points:

   • Contrast between the beauty of nature and the harshness of human experiences.
   • Reflection on human mortality and the fleeting nature of life.

4. Context:

   • Written in 1916, during World War I, which may subtly reflect the era’s desensitization to death.

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7. Activity Text: “Snow” by Julia Alvarez

Key Focus Areas:

1. Summary and Theme:

   • A short story where a young immigrant girl misunderstands a snowstorm as a nuclear attack.
   • Themes include innocence, fear of the unknown, and the cultural lens through which we perceive events.

2. Literary Devices:

   • Symbolism: Snow represents both innocence and fear.
   • First-person Narrative: Provides an intimate perspective of the protagonist's thoughts.
   • Contrast: Between the teacher’s explanation and the protagonist’s fears.

3. Analysis Points:

   • Explores the immigrant experience and the challenges of adapting to a new environment.
   • Highlights how children interpret the world differently from adults.

4. Context:

   • Set during the Cold War, reflecting societal fears of nuclear conflict.